MOSCOW, Idaho —
Jalin Moore ran for an Appalachian State University freshman-record 244 yards to lead the Mountaineers to a 47-20 victory over Idaho on Saturday afternoon at the Kibbie Dome.
Moore's 244 yards on the ground shattered Appalachian State's previous freshman record of 215, set by current Mountaineer junior
Marcus Cox against Western Carolina on Nov. 23, 2013. His 244-yard output was tied for the ninth-highest in school history, regardless of class.
Ironically, Moore got the opportunity to shine due to the decision by Appalachian's coaching staff to rest Cox, who was dressed and available to play but battling nagging lower-body injuries.
With Cox on the sideline, Moore eclipsed his previous career total of 203 rushing yards while averaging 9.0 yards over 27 carries. He obliterated his prior single-game highs of 75 rushing yards (Sept. 26 at Old Dominion) and 11 carries (Oct. 22 vs. Georgia Southern).
Behind Moore, the Mountaineers amassed 401 of their 511 total yards and 23 of their 29 first downs on the ground.
Although Appalachian (8-2, 5-1 Sun Belt) never trailed, the game was relatively close throughout the first half and the Mountaineers led just 21-13 at halftime.
However, the second half was all Mountaineers, as they scored on four of their five full possessions (not including a kneel-down to close out the end) to turn the contest into a rout. Conversely, Idaho's offense surrendered more points (two on a safety) than it scored (0) in the second half until it managed a fourth-quarter touchdown against mostly defensive backups.
In all, App State outgained Idaho (3-7, 2-5 Sun Belt), 511-299, including a whopping 401-56 advantage on the ground. In the second half alone, the Mountaineers held a 271-95 yardage edge and dominated time of possession, 20:30-9:30.
The Mountaineers featured an efficient passing performance to go along with the prolific rushing attack, completing 10-of-17 passes with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Starting quarterback
Taylor Lamb tossed three of the four touchdown passes in an 8-for-15, 90-yard performance.
Tight ends
Barrett Burns and
Bill Cecil and wideouts
Malachi Jones and
Montez McGuire caught touchdown passes for the Mountaineers.
Defensively, Appalachian State sacked Idaho quarterback Matt Linehan five times.
Ronald Blair,
Stephen Burns and
Olawale Dada all got to Linehan early before reserve
Caleb Fuller dropped him twice on the Vandals' final possession.
Appalachian State enjoys a bye this week before returning to action on Nov. 28 at home against UL Lafayette. Kickoff for the Mountaineers' 2015 home finale is set for 2 p.m. at Kidd Brewer Stadium.
NOTES: App State held Idaho to 10 points and 129 yards below its season averages of 30.2 points and 428.3 yards per game ... the Mountaineers won for the first time in seven all-time games played west of the Central time zone ... with a 17-yard touchdown run in the first half,
Bobo Beathard became the first NCAA Division I FBS student-athlete to score touchdowns in two different indoor stadiums this season ... he also had a 29-yard touchdown reception against Georgia State at the Georgia Dome on Oct. 10 ... Appalachian State has won five-straight indoor games since its last defeat in an indoor venue, a 31-10 loss at East Tennessee State's Memorial Center in 1996 ... the Mountaineers won for the 14th time in their last 16 games, 11th time in their last 12 Sun Belt Conference games and seventh time in their last eight road games ... Cox, a junior, missed a game for the first time in his collegiate career.
